Leveragen, a Boston-based biotechnology company specializing in next-generation in vivo antibody discovery platforms, has announced a strategic collaboration with Propeller Bio, a newly launched biotechnology company focused on antibody and protein-based therapeutics. The partnership combines Leveragen's cutting-edge antibody discovery technology with Propeller Bio's therapeutic development expertise under the leadership of industry veteran David Shen.
Strategic Investment and Technology Access
Under the terms of the collaboration, Propeller Bio will provide strategic investment to support the continued development of Leveragen's antibody discovery platforms. In return, Propeller Bio gains access to Leveragen's complete suite of proprietary antibody mouse models, including the flagship Singularity Sapiens Mouse platform.
The Singularity Sapiens Mouse represents what the companies describe as "the industry-leading fully human single-domain antibody discovery platform." The genetically engineered mouse model is designed to produce robust immune responses across a broad range of antigens, enabling efficient discovery of fully human VH-only antibodies with strong developability characteristics and diverse epitope coverage.
Versatile Therapeutic Applications
The platform's versatility extends across multiple therapeutic formats, supporting the development of bispecifics, antibody-drug conjugates, CAR-T therapies, and mRNA-encoded antibodies. This broad applicability positions the technology as a comprehensive tool for biologics development across various therapeutic modalities.
"Leveragen's Singularity Sapiens Mouse is a differentiated platform for antibody discovery," said David W. Shen, PhD, Founder and CEO of Propeller Bio. "It provides a unique option for high-quality, in vivo matured human VH domains with impressive diversity and developability. This platform presents a compelling alternative to camelid immunization or synthetic libraries, offering speed, flexibility, and translational relevance."
Leadership and Track Record
David Shen brings extensive industry experience to the partnership, having previously held senior leadership roles at major pharmaceutical companies including Amgen, Merck, Teva, and NGM Bio. Most notably, he served as Founder and CEO of Proteologix, a company specializing in bispecific antibodies for immune-mediated diseases. Proteologix achieved a significant exit when Johnson & Johnson acquired the company for $850 million upfront plus undisclosed milestone payments in 2024, just three years after its inception.
"We're excited to collaborate with Dr. David Shen and the team at Propeller Bio," said Weisheng Chen, PhD, Founder and CEO of Leveragen. "David has a remarkable track record of bringing innovative biomedicines to patients in need. We believe Propeller Bio is well positioned to lead the next wave of therapeutic breakthroughs, and we're proud to support their work with our cutting-edge antibody discovery platforms."
Technology Platform Details
Leveragen's Singularity Suite encompasses a collection of genetically engineered mouse models capable of generating exclusively single-domain antibodies from the VH repertoires of humans, mice, and companion animals. The platform supports development of advanced therapeutic modalities including bispecifics, ADCs, mRNA-encoded antibodies, targeted drug delivery, and cell therapies.
The collaboration highlights Leveragen's expanding role as a discovery partner for biotechnology companies developing innovative biologics. The Woburn, Massachusetts-based company's technologies are currently utilized by leading biotech and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
Company Backgrounds
Propeller Bio, founded by Shen alongside experienced biotech entrepreneurs, focuses on discovering and developing innovative biologic therapeutics designed to target multiple disease-driving pathways. The Bay Area, California-based company aims to achieve synergistic effects in treating patients with unmet medical needs, supported by leading investors and a diverse team with extensive drug discovery and development expertise.
